Road freight transport operators in Far North Queensland have scored a win today with news that the LNP state government will match federal funding of $245 million for a new Barron River bridge at Kuranda.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said the $490 million crossing, constructed downstream of the existing structure, will include a separated pedestrian and cycling path, enhanced safety features, and a turnaround facility on the Kennedy Highway.
“This is what real leadership looks like—after a decade of Labor neglect, we are delivering the infrastructure to keep Queensland moving,” Mickelberg said.
“This commitment cements full funding for the project and will allow detailed design and pre-construction works to begin.
“We’re a government of delivery. We do what we say we’ll do—funding it, building it, and delivering it. This is generational infrastructure that will serve the Far North for decades to come.”
The existing bridge, which opened in 1963, has been the subject of a number of studies since 2015 with concerns of its structural integrity tested by increasing traffic, including a rise in the number of trucks.
Over the last five years, the road freight industry travelling across the ageing structure has been frustrated with sporadic changes to traffic conditions including weight limits, reductions to single-lane use and complete closures, so crews could either study, or undertake temporary repairs.
Seeing it is only the decks that need replacing as well as that roundabout at Black Mountain Road I can’t see where it is needed to spend $245 Million.
Cheaper solution: The roundabout is a must have as it is dangerous heading to Kuranda if someone else stops ahead of a truck on that blind corner to give way to oncoming traffic at Black Mountain turnoff .
Give the deck work to the Army to install a Bailey Bridge that will take less time to erect as each section can be trucked in ready to be fitted and the Army engineers can use the experience for future works .